Large increase in lithium battery related fires in London

Just like in New York, there has been an alarming' increase in the number of fires caused by e-scooter and e-bike batteries in London, UK.

According to a recent article by Sky News, the London Fire Brigade were called to 88 fires caused by privately owned e-bikes last year. Following the enormous surge in incidents, consumers are being warned to only buy a device from reputable retailers.

According to Freedom of Information data, obtained by the insurer Zurich, the number of fires caused by batteries has surged almost 150% in the last year.

Firefighters in London were called to 88 fires by e-bikes last year,which is an increase by 80% compared to 2021.

The problem,, according to assistant commissioner for fire safety Charlie Pugsley is that  the devices are often stored in communal areas and corridors, blocking people's only means of escape, which means people can die in fires they would have otherwise easily been able to escape from. And the fires, when they occur, can get serious very fast:

"When these batteries and chargers fail, they do so with ferocity," Pugsley said.

According to a March 7 article on IFSEC Global, the British Metals Recycling Association is urging the UK government to lead a new campaign to highlight the dangers of fires from exploding lithium-ion batteries, saying the problem has been “ignored for too long”.

The warning comes as new figures show that the number of fires caused by exploding lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and e-bikes soared by almost 150% in 2021, according to data obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request by insurance company Zurich. The number of such fires to the end of September 2022 shows a further increase of 28% on 2021’s monthly average figure.

The National Fire Chiefs Council, NFCC, recently published a guide for how to handle and charge e-bikes and e-scooters safely. 

"... On occasions batteries can fail catastrophically, they can ‘explode’ and/or lead to a rapidly developing fire... The incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries in general household and recycling waste can lead to significant waste fires.  Prevention messaging is therefore important in supporting both FRS protection and operational staff", is part of the message of the guide. 

As CTIF News has previously reported, New York City recently decided on new legislation to ban the sale of non UL-tested lithium batteries within the state. However, a London council called on the government to ban the sale of substandard e-bike chargers already in September of 2022. 

E-scooters banned on the London Underground

In a September 28, 2022 article the BBC writes that some e-bikes and their chargers do not meet UK standards. In another article, the BBC writes that London Underground banned e-scooters and e-bikes on the subway system already in late 2021. 

Anyone trying to take one of the devices on to the Tube, buses, Overground, TfL Rail, Trams and DLR could be fined up to £1,000.

The fire which prompted the ban was the November fire on the District Line train as it entered the Parson Green station on November 1, 2021. 

My London News has a video of the fire, where passengers can be heard coughing and gasping for air as smoke escapes the carriages following the e-scooter catching fire onboard the train.

The article claims the London Underground worker unions have been warning about the dangers of e-scooters across the network but have not seen any action being taken. 

Lithium fires on the rise

The number of fires caused by e-scooter and e-bike batteries is on the rise, according to several recent reports.

Experts are concerned about the trend, with many pointing out the risk of these batteries exploding or catching fire. The increase in popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters has contributed to the rise in incidents.

Firefighters have to face challenges when it comes to fires in electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters. The batteries used in these vehicles are powerful and can cause intense fires that are difficult to extinguish.

Some of the challenges firefighters face include the inability to cut power to the battery pack and the potential for reignition. Even when a fire is extinguished, the battery can continue to smoulder, leading to reignition.

There are also concerns about the risk of toxicity from the lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters. Lithium can release harmful chemicals when it burns, and this can pose a danger to both firefighters and the public.

The increase in fires caused by e-bike and e-scooter batteries highlights the need for increased awareness of the risks associated with these vehicles. Proper storage and charging of these batteries can help to reduce the risk of fire, and manufacturers can work to improve the safety of these batteries.

Firefighters need to be properly trained and equipped to deal with fires caused by EVs and lithium batteries. This includes having access to specialized tools and training in how to safely extinguish these types of fires.

The rise in incidents highlights the need for ongoing research and development into safer and more reliable battery technologies, as well as greater awareness of the risks associated with these batteries.

Photo Credit: (Cover photo Above)

The remains of e-scooters and e-bikes after a fire. Photo by the London Fire Brigade.